Button-feeding mechanism for button-attaching machines.



I A. E. mum. BUTTON FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINES.

g Q 7 APPLICATION FILED NOV 30, I914.

Ta L j I any: 1.?

Patented Sept. '11, 191?.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 I A. E. TOLIN. BUTTON FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BUTTONATTACHING MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30.1914.

1 $9,846, I v Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. E. mum. BUTTON FEEDlNG MECHANISM FOR BUTTON ATTACHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30. I914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

ATTORNEY.

s rairnn'r opinion.

ALBERT E. TOLIN OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WILLIAM J. WOOLLEY, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

BUTTON-FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BUTTON-ATTACHING MACHINES.

Application filed November 30, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. ToLrN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Anderson, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana,have invented anew and useful Button-Feeding Mechanism forButton-Attaching Machines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters andfigures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to the type of but-- ton-attaching machine thatincludes apparatus for forming the fastening devices re quired forattaching buttons to shoes or other articles, the invention havingreference more particularly to a machine of the above mentionedcharacter that is adapted to be used not only in factories forpermanently attaching buttons to articles, but in retail shoe stores forattaching buttons to shoes to suit the purchaser; or for re-settingbuttons that may have been temporarily attached to shoes in factories.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved button-attachingmachine that shall be so constructed as to be adapted for rapidoperation, more particularly by foot power. so that the hands of theoperator are free to be used for handling and controlling the articlesto which the buttons are to be applied; an aim being to pro vide abutton-attaching machine of simple and compact form that may beconstructed at relatively small cost and sold at a price that wouldwarrant their purchase and use generally, and more particularly by thesmaller retail shoe dealers.

Another object is to provide an improved button-attaching machine thatshall be capable of holding and controlling a variety of buttons, suchas those of different sizes or different colors, either of which may bequickly selected for use; which machine shall be so constructed as topermit the ready removal of one or more of the varieties of buttons tobe replaced by one or more other varieties if desired, and Withoutentailing the disadvantages inseparable from the caretaking and handlingof separate magazines or button-holding devices hitherto forming part ofthe equipment of button-attaching machines used to some extent. v

A further object is to provide improved Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11ft, 91m. Serial No. 874,723.

button-controlling that shall be so constructed as to operate yieldinglyand smoothly, and yet reliably and without harsh treatment or injuriouseffects on the but-tons which are liable to be marred on their. surfacesto the extent of being unsightly in appearance.

lVith the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in a machine having various novel. features whereby theabove-mentioned and other ob jects are practically realized; theinvention contemplating various modifications of a preferredconstruction, and also including the novel parts and combinations andarrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and furtherdefined in the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawings,-l igure l is a side elevation of abutton-attaching machine constructed substantially in accordance withthe invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan of the machine; Fig. 3 is a.fragmentary section on the line A A on Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryside elevation of portions of F 1 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 5 is afront elevation of the main part of the machine; Fig. 6 is a verticalcentral section of the main part of the machine; Fig. 7 is a fragmentaryfront elevation omitting parts in order to expose other parts to viewiFig. 8 is a perspective view of detached parts of the machine; Fig. 9 isa fragmentary front elevation of the machine partially in section; Fig.10 is a perspective view of an improved button guide; Fig. 11 is aperspective view of novel parts of the machine for assisting in thedelivery of the buttons; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a housingshutter preferably employed; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectionalelevation; 14 is a perspective view of the button elevators of themachine; F 15 is a fragi'nentary top plan of the button magazine; Fig.16 is a fragmentary section of the but ton chute and device for stoppingand holding the buttons on the chute; 17 is a side elevation of a camplate forming a part of the machine: Fig. 18 is a fragmentary section onthe plane of the line F F on Fig. 15; Fig. 19 is a fragmentarysectionapproximately on the line G G on Fig. 13; and, Fig. 20 is asection approximately on the line H H on Fig. 4..

Similar reference characters on the differand feeding apparatus cutfigures of the drawings indicate like parts or elements hereinafterparticularly 1, and also a fulcrum arm 5 provided with a pivot 6 towhich a foot lever 7 is connected, the arm 5 being on the rear of thebase and the foot lever extending under the base through the forward leg2. A hollow pillar 8' is fixedly supported upon the base 1 and it has aspring 9 connected thereto, the spring being connected also to theforward portion of the foot lever for drawing the latter upward andnormally holding it in elevated position. An improved housingfor'supporting the principal mechanism is provided and comprises abottom 10 which isfixedly secured to the top of the pillar 8 and has atable 11 on the rear portion thereof, the table being suitable forsupporting hand-tools or various articles and it has a suitable numberof depressions or open compartments 12, 13, 1 1, 15, 16 in which smallsupplies of different kinds or styles of but tons may be placed so as tobe conveniently accessible. The housing includes also an upright frontwall 17, side walls 18 and 19 connected to the front wall, and a rearwall 20 connected to the side walls, all the walls being secured uponthe bottom 10. The front of the front wall 17 has a rigid headblock 21thereon for supporting and guiding different parts of the machine. Thetop portion of the front wall has aforwardly extending projectionthereon, the wall having also an opening or slot 23 in its upperportion. The rear wall 20 has an inclined upper portion 24 extendingforwardly and to a higher plane than the front wall, so that the top ofthe housing is in clined. The inclined portion 2 1 of the rear wall hasa projecting'rib 25 on the middle of its rear side. have lateralprojections 26, that are on the plane of the inclined portion 241- ofthe rear wall. The housing is provided with a top or roof plate 28 whichis inclined forwardly and forms a chute for the buttons. The top plate28 supports an open magazine frame which comprises two rearwardlyextending side-bars 29 and 30 adapted to constitute portions of chutesand a cross-bar 31 connected to the ends of the side-bars. A magazinefor the buttons comprises two inclined sides 32 and 33 connected to theprojections 26 and to the side bars 29 and 30, respectively, the wallportion 2st forming the front of the magazine which has a back wall 36%connected to the side walls 32 and 33 and formed thereon respectivelythat The side walls 18 and 19.

also to the cross-bar 31. The side walls 32 and 33 havebottom portions35 and 36 each toward the other, there being suitableSPACGbQ'DWGGHthB'bOttOlH portions. A partitional wall 37 preferably isprovided and is secured to the back wall 34; and extends from the planeof the portions upward above the plane of the magazine frame and 'intothe rib 25 and to a tongue 38 extending from the roof plate rearwardupon the rib. The wall has a forwardly extending projection 39 standingupon the tongue'38 for assisting to guide the buttons on the chute. Themagazine preferably being divided into two compartments fordiiferentkinds of butto11s','two elevators 10 and 41 consequently are providedwhich are arranged on opposite sides respectively of the partitionalwall or and secured at the lower ends to a foot-bar 412 which isslightly thicker *than thepartitional wall and is arranged'below thewall. The tops of the elevators are inclined to correspond to theinclination of the magazine frame which preferably is slightly less thanthe inclination of the top or roof plate 28. The top of the elevator 40has a channel or groove 13 therein, the other elevator 11 having asimilar channel 14: in its top for guiding the eyes or shanks of buttonswhich may be elevated frointhe magazine chambers to the chute on thetops of the elevators. The chute has two guide channels 15 and at in thetop thereof that extend from the end of the tongue 38 and downward inthe'top of the roof plate 28 to the lower end thereof. The side bars 29and 30 are adapted for supporting and guiding buttons, one having aguide channel 17 in the top thereof that is connected with a channel 48formed in the top of the plate 28 and extending .convergently to thelower end of the channel 45, the other side bar 30 having a similarchannel 49 that is connectedwith a channel 50 formed also in the top ofthe plate 28 and extending convergently to the lower end of the channela6 for guiding the eyes or shanks of the buttons that may be placed uponthe magazine frame. 7 rod 51 is secured to the lower ends of theelevators and has a stop collar 52 thereon to be moved into contact witha spring 53 supported upon the table 11 through which the rod 51extends, the lower portion of the i extend A controlling lie preferablyare provided with a spring to be engaged by a device for lifting theelevators. For the purpose of actuating and controlling various parts ofthe machine a suitable cam plate or bar 56 is provided which is arrangedadjacent to the ice inner side of the side wall 18 and suitably guidedfor vertical movement the upper portion of the plate having an arm 57thereon that extends over to the opposite wall 19 and has a downwardlyextending finger 58 thereon. The cam plate or bar is operated andcontrolled directly by means of aconnecting rod 59 which is suitablyconnected thereto and extends through the pillar 8 and is connected tothe foot lever 7 the cam plate or bar being normally held in elevatedposition by means of the spring 9. 'The side wall 18 has a suitableopening that is normally closed by a removable section or plate 60 whichsupports a guide pin 61 on its inner side to be engaged by a. dog 62which is mounted on a pivot 63 secured to the plate or bar 56 forforcing the dog into engagement with ratchet teeth 64 formed on theinner side of the rear wall 20 of the housing. A plate spring 65 ismounted also on the plate or bar 56 and engages the dog, the latterbeing adapted to be held by the spring either in contact with or awayfrom the ratchet teeth; and the dog is pushed away from the ratchetteeth by means of a guide pin 66 supported by the side wall 18, theaction taking place when the plate or bar 56 descends. The dog isadapted to stop the cam plate 56 when moved upward to the requiredpoint.

Two pivot bolts or shafts 67 and 68 are supported bythe side walls 18and 19, the bolt 67 having a journal bearing 69 thereon whichconstitutes a nut that is screwed onto the bolt and against the outerside of the wall 18 so as to rigidly secure the bolt and the bearing tothe wall, the outer end of the bearin having av guide collar 70 thereon.A lever is pivoted between its ends on the bearing 69 so as toconstitute an arm71 that extends rearward and upward and is providedwith a wrist pin 72, and an arm 73 that extends forward beyond the frontof the side wall. The arm 71 has a laterally extending finger 7 1thereon that normally engages the spring 55 for holding the elevators intheir elevated position. The wrist pin 72 extends into and through asuitable aperture in the side wall 18 of the housing and between .twoengagement portions 7 5 and 76 formed in an opening in the plate or bar56 which permits a limited extent of movement of the plate or bar whilethe lever remains at rest, the lever being moved on further movement ofthe plate 56. The head-block 21 provided with a stop projection. 77whereby the lever is stopped by the arm 73 coming into contact with theprojection.

Simple mechanism is shown for forming wire staples and driving them forattaching buttons to articles in a convenient; manner. the mechanismcomprising a main bar 78 mounted in the head-block 21 and having alongitudinal guideway therein. The upper portion of the bar is providedwith a transverse wrist-pin 85 whereby to operate and control the bar.The lower end of the bar is adapted to shear 01f a section of wire toform a staple when the wire is fed on downward movement of the bar. Aram or secondary bar 86 is provided which is fitted into andlongitudinally guided in the guideway of the main bar. The upper portionof the ram is provided with a lateral wristpin 89 whereby to operate andcontrol the ram. The mechanism includes also an arbor bar 90 that issuitably mounted in the head-block 21 at right angles to the main bar 78 and so as to be movable longitudinally the outer end or forwardportion being formed as an arbor 91 on which to form the loop of astaple. The arbor bar is provided with a wrist pin 9 1 for operation andcontrol of the arbor. A bell crank is supported to rock on the pivotbolt 67 and has one arm suitably connected with the wrist pin 85, thearm extending through the aperture 23 in the front wall of the housing,the remaining arm 96 ofthe bell crank extending downward and having awrist-pin 97 on its lower portion. A relatively larger bell crank issupported to rock on the pivot bolt 68 and has one arm 98 extendingthrough the aperture 23 above the arm 95 and suitably connected with thewrist-pin 89, the remaining arm 99 of the bell crank extending downwardand having a wristpin 100 thereon. The inner portion of the arbor bar 90and also the arms 96 and 99 are arranged on one side of the cam plate orbar 56, so that they may be operated sync ironically by the plate or barwhich is suitably provided with earns. the latter being suitably formedas slots or channels in the plate or bar 56 which has one channelreceiving the wristpin 9-1 and comprising an inclined cam portion 101,from the lower en d of which extends a vertical portion 102 that isadjacent to the front wall 17, a vertical portion 103 extending from theupper end of the cam portion 101 farther away from the front wall sothat the arbor bar is projected when the cam plate is elevated and isretracted when the plate is lowered. The cam plate has also anotherchannel that receives the wrist-pin 97 and comprises an upwardly andrearwardly extending cam portion 10% from the lower end of which avertical portion 105 extends, a vertical'portion 106 extending upwardfrom the upper end of the cam portion, another cam portion 107 extendingupward and rearward from the upper end of the vertical portion 106, thechannel therefore having two cam portions and a vertical portion 108extending from the upper end of the cam portion 107. The verticalportions permit more ment of the cam plate without moving the 'fromthelower end of which a vertical portion 110 extends, a vertical. portion111 extending from the upper end of the cam portion, andanotlier camportion 112 extends upward and rearward from the upper end of thevertical portion 111, another vertical portion 113 extending from theupper end of the camportion 112. The upper end of the vertical portion:113 preferably is sufliciently broad to permit slight swingingmovementof the arm 99, the upper end ofthe vertical portion IORhaving a recess1.1 1 to receivethe wrist-pin 9'1 so as to permit slight swingingmovement of the arm 96, in order to permit the bar 78 and the ram 86 tobe thrust downward onto the work and compensate for variations inthickness of articles worked upon and thus avoid strainingof themechanism The front wall 17 of the housing has also a projectingabutment arm 115 which supports an anvil or'clenching die 116, in thetop of which are two adjacently arranged recesses 117 and 118' havingcurved bottoms for causing the ends of the staple legs to be turned overand clenched on the under side of the article towhichv the buttons maybe attached. A curved guide bar 119 isprovided and its upper end issecured to the projection 22 of the front wall of the housing to form acontinuation of the top or roof plate 28 and therewith form an inclinedchute for the buttons. The lower end of the guide bar is provided with asupporting base 120 that is secured to the head-block 21" andconveniently performs the function of acap plate for the bearings thatguide the main bar 78, the lower end of the base having an opening 121thereinin which the front face of the guide bar terminates. The upperportion of the guide bar has a" channel section 122 that forms acontinuation of the channel 48, and also a channel section 123 thatforms a continuation of the channel 50, the channel sections havingconnection respectively with the channels 15 and 416, being convergenteach to-the other and connected with a guide channel 124. formed in thebar and extending down to the lower end of the guide bar, thelower endof the channel being arranged soas to guide the eye or shank of thebutton into the slot 87 of the ram.

Av plate 125 is provided and fixedly secured to the chute or plate 28'so as to be spaced slightly away fromthe latter to serve asa framememberand: also a guide plate permitting the buttonsto slide down the chuteunder the guide plate: with the eyes or shanks of the buttons in theguide channels, the guide plate preventing accidental disarrangement orscrambling of the buttons. The plate 125 has a suitable lid frame 126thereon that extends above the magazine frame and serves as a guideplate above the channels 175 and 49 without, however, covering the upperor inlet endsof the channels, and a magazine cover 127 is hinged to andnormally rests'upon the-frame 1265 The plate 125 has a guide projectionthereon that extends into; the' frame above the tongue 38 and to theguide projection 39, and is shapedto form two inclined guides 128 and129 that extend divergently from the end of: the guide'39for the purposeof deflecting buttons 'fromi the tongue 38 over onto the inclined backwall portion 24; that forms an inclined front wall of the magazine, suchaction being desired in case the buttons are devoid of eyes or shanks,or in case the shanks do not. happen to be brought fairly into the guidechannels 45 and 46. The member1 25 supports suitable stop" devicesadapted to operate above the lower end portions of the guidechannels 15,46, 48 and 50 forholding the buttonsin the channels ready to be selectedfor use, the member 1-25 having a suitable number of apertures 130'therein through which the devices operate, one for each channel. In the.preferable form off construction of' the stop devices a pivot rod 131 issuitably'supported by the member 125' so as to extend across theapertures, and it supportsa suitable number oftumblingdevicescomprising' each a finger 132 or'132! that/extends through anaperture toward: the adjacent guide channel so as to arrest the movementof the'buttons down the channel, and an arm 133 or 133 extending intocontact with thetopof themember 125-beyond the aperture. l/Vhen the armis swung'over so as to extend downward upon the member 125 the finger isswungupward out oftheaperture and releases the buttons. When the buttonsare released in one of the channels, they slide downward onto theguide'119 and are temporarily retained by a movable gate that isconnected to ahinge rod 13 1 supported upon the member 125, thegatecomprising a base plate 135 extending from the hinge rod downwardupon thetop of the member 125. A; base plate 136 is connected also tothe hinge rod 134: and suitably adapted to cooperate with the gateThebase plate 135 of the-gate is engaged by a. suitable spring 137 foryieldingly holding the gate down to normal position. Therplat'e' l35 hasan aperture 138 thereinanda. gate portion" 139" that extends downwardover the end of the member 125 approximately to the guide bar 119 andhas a slot 1&0 therein extending from the aperture, the gate portion 139being adapted to arrest the movement of the buttons. The plate 136 has acurved guide 141 on its end that is supported on a higher plane than thegate plate and extends ClO'W11 ward adjacent to the gate and toward theguide bar 119, the guide being supported by its outer edge so that anobject sliding up the guide may drop 01f from the upper or rear endthereof onto an inclined guide 142 which is supported by the gate plate135 and extends forward and downward under the guide 141 and toward theplate 135.

For the purpose of moving or transferring the buttons from the gate 139to the lower portion of the ram 86 the arm 7 3 of the rocking lever isprovided on one side with a boss 1 1-3 having a pivotpin 144 thatextends horizontally opposite the front of the guide bar 119. The pivotpin carries an open head formed of two plates 1&5 and 146 that arepivotally connected to the pivot pin 1441, the plates being spaced apartand having a guide pin 147 secured thereto below the pivot pin, theplates being secured to a cross-bar 1&8 arranged forward of the plane ofthe pivot pin and the guide pin. A finger bar 1 i9 that is approximatelyS-shaped is arranged in the open head, being between the two platesthereof, so that the upper end of the bar extends away from the guidebar 119 and over above the crossbar 148, the lower portion of the fingerbar extending toward the guide bar 119. The finger bar has a verticalslot 150 which receives the pivot pin 14%, and a slot 151 which receivesthe guide pin 147, so that the finger bar is vertically movable in thehead and may swing with the head on the pivot pin. A spring 152coiiperates with the boss 1 13 and the open head to swing the lower endof the finger bar toward the guide bar 1119, another spring 153 beingconnected to the crossbar 1 18 and also to the upper portion of thefinger bar for yieldingly forcing the latter downward. The lower end ofthe finger bar has a finger 154: that projects rearward, the bar havingalso a thumb 155 that projects rearward above the finger and is adaptedto slide in the guide channel 124. The thumb and finger are adapted toembrace a button for moving it down the curved guide bar 119 to therequired position, the thumb being suitably adapted to pass through theslot 140 in the gate that holds the buttons. The guide pin 147 projectsbeyond the side plate 14-6 of the open head, and when the finger bar iscarried upward for the purpose of withdrawing the button from the gatethe guide pin rides upward upon the curved guide 141 and carries theopen head sulficiently high to prevent the thumb 155 from striking thelowermost button and forcing the buttons upward, the guide pin 1 1?being carried off of the upper end of the guide 1 11 and permitted todescend to the guide I l-2 and downward under the guide 141 while thethumb engages the rear side of the button and gently pushes the buttondown from beneath the gate 139, the thumb entering the aperture 138behind the button and passing through the slot HO. When the thumb isengaging the button the spring 153 permits the finger bar to yieldslightly during the downward movement of the arm 7 3, so as to avoidshock or straining of the various parts. The spring 152 permits the openhead to swing so that the finger bar 149 may follow the contour of thecurved guide bar 119, the lower portion of which straight; the springalso permitting the guide pin 1 17 when carried over the guide 141 tocause the finger bar to swing upwardly to clear the lowermost one of thebuttons and pass over it without thrusting the button backward from thegate 139. The button-attaching mechanism includes a shear block 156 andthe main bar 7 8 cotiperates with the shear block to cut off sections ofwire to be formed into fastening staples. The shear block has a guidehole 157 therein through which the wire is fed in operation to the face158 of the guideway in which the bar 78 is guided. An arm 159 issupported by the head block 21 and supports a holder 160 for the staplewire. A feed lever 161 is supported between its ends on a pivot 162 thatis mounted on the housing, and a spring 163 is placed between the walland the upper portion of the lever for yieldingly forcing the lower endof the lever toward the shear block. The lower portion of the lever hasa cam below the pivot and extending into the path of movement. of thefinger 58, which when drawn downward e11- gages the cam and forces thelever in the opposite or retracting direction. The lower end of thelever has a suitable boxing 165 in which is an eye or hole 166 toreceive and guide the staple wire. The lever has a clutch 167 mounted onpin 168. The lever is stopped in its advance movement against aprojection 169 having a stud 170 fixedly secured thereto and on which aclutch 171 is mounted. and adapted to prevent return of the staple wire.A locking bar 172 is pivotally supported on the stud 170 and has afinger 173 thereon that extends adjacent to the lower end of the guidebar 119 and dis posed so as to be engaged by the guide pin 147 andpushed downward when the finger bar 149 is moving a button to the lowerend of the guide bar, but permits the guide pin to pass the finger whenthere is no button engaged by the finger bar, the latter in such casebeing swung into contact with the guide bar 119. The locking bar 172 hasa horizontal slot 17% thereinwhereby.the bar is guided on the guide pin168 during .movement or the lever 161. The locking bar has also a recess175 extending upward from the slot to receive the guide pin 168 andthereby lock the lever when the latter is retracted,

so that feeding of the wire is prevented in case the machine fails tobring a button to the proper position for use. The -wirex176 is fedthrough the guide hole 157. to be cut oil intosections 177. When the eyeor shank 17S =ot a button 179 is placed on the arbor 91 the section ofwire extends through the eye and over the top of the :arbor to be formedinto a loop to constitute a staple.

The plate 186 that is pivotally mounted upon the frame member 125 has-alaterally projecting vfinger 181 that extends-under the guide 1&2whereby to manually lift the gate 139 by means of the guide 14-1 whichis conveniently shaped to constitute a finger-piece whereby to directlyliitup the plate 136.

In practical .use a variety of buttons-of different character, as tosize and color, are provided and the supply of wire is placedon theholder provided-therefor. The two kinds of buttons mostcommonly desiredare placed in the magazine andiseparated by the partition 37,- anotherkind being placed in the channel dfl, and still another kindiin thechannc'l 19, still other varieties it re- (mired-being placed in thereceptacles of the table 11. The stops being adjusted to normalposition, the fingers 132 -extend-downward .and retain the buttons inthe guide channels, the channels 41:5 and 16 being supplied..1ro1n,themagazine by the elevators tO'and $1 on repeated operation of the footlever 7. lVhen aselection of buttons-is made for use, the stop holdingsuch buttons is re tracted and. the buttons permitted to-slide down thechute to the gate 89 which temporarily holds them until taken awayperiodically by the finger bar 14:9, but may all be released and removedby manually lifting the gate in case it is desired to use anothervariety :of buttons. he contours ofthedi'fferent cam portions of theicamplate or bar 56 are such as to hold the arbor bar 90 in projectedposition and the main :bar 578 and the ram 86 tin-elevatedpositionwhen'the cam plate is elevated, the feed lever 161 at such times forcingthe wire into the proper ,position to be cut off it the lever isunlocked by the pin 1%? engaging the finger 173. llhe article to whichthe button is to be applied is placed upon the anvil 116, and theeye ofthe button resting on the arbor having .received' the section of wire,the cam plate 'or bar 56 on downward movement causes the main bar 78 tomove downward and cutofi' the wire followed by downward movement oi' therain 86 with themain bar, whichenables the main bar to bend the sectionof wire over thetop of thearbor while the ram nesegsae temporarily restsupon the wire and holds it tightly upon the underwpo-rtion of the eyeofvthe button while the \staple is being formed, after which-the arboris caused to be retracted ;by the cam. plate, the .latter by means ofthehigher cam portions therein causing downward movement: of both themainhbar'TS and the ram 86 'to carry the staple and the button to thework upon the anvil,J-'the motion o'tthe main bar, however,heingaarrested before coming into .contact with the shoe or otherarticle while the ram is forced to .zdescend and drive the staplethrough the "article to :clench the legs on the anvil. lhlhile the cam'plate- 56 is descending, the ar1n73 is swung upward 'toaenable thefinger bar to engage another button for hringingziit downutortherequired position on .upvirard movement of the cam plate. Zhen'thearm 73is-carri'ed upward the arm 7:1,is swung downward to permit the elevators140. .andtl to :descend, the :latter being again. elevated by. theupward .movement of theaarm 1711. When the, elevators are loweredithebuttonszgra-vitate to the. tops thereof and .are thereby ilifted whenthe elevators are lifted to permit the buttons: toslide downwardontozthechute. "The whole operation 'isirapidly: eausedto :be performedby means of the =toot ilever .7 while the operator handles thework withboth hands free :for the purpose i and v with a v clear view of thehutton-attachingi operations. The purpose and ltunctioniof the variouselements of the machine .ha'vingabeen fully pointedv out in connectionwith .the description of the construction thereof, the various motionsand results OfZOPB'I'HilllOIl of the various elements will be clearlyunderstood without further description 2111 mletail' It should beunderstood that various modificationsiniay berllltltle with reference tothe detailsof-construction of the machine .as may. in ;practice be:found desirable within the scope eot'. the appended claims.

lilavingithus described .the invention, :what is icla iined :as :11ew.is,

:1. Inna button-attaching machine, an inclined iohute for movablyguiding the buttons,-a ,guide plate 'finedly supported above the-chuteandE-havingia slot therein, and a tumbling stop device ipivo'tallysupported uponathe guide plate and having a finger to ebeunoved throughthe slot andinto the path of movement i-of the buttons, the devicehaving also a controlling arm normally engaging the .top of the guideplate.

2. In albutton-attaching machine, ahous ingfihavingn table :thereon, amagazine fixedly-connected to the housing above the table, a. chuteextendingirom the top of the magazine, an elevator extending through andvertically movable "in the bottom of the magazine and provided with acontrolling rod that extends through the table, the rod having two stopdevices thereon arranged respectively above and below the table, andmeans for lifting the elevator to carry buttons from the magazine to thechute.

3. In a button-attaching machine, an inclined chute for movably guidingbuttons, a guide plate fixedly supported above the chute, a curved 'uidebar connected to the lower end of the chute, a gate hinged to the top ofthe guide plate and extending downward over the lower end of the guideplate to the guide bar to hold the buttons, and a lifting device hingedto and normally resting on the top of the guide plate and having afinger extending under a portion of the gate for lifting the gate torelease the buttons, the lifting device having a projecting handleportion.

4-. In a button-attaching machine, a gravity chute having two guidechannels converging each to the other and also a single channelextending from the junction of the convergent channels, the chute havingalso two straight guide channels extending to the two convergentchannels respectively, a magazine frame connected to the chute andhaving two guide channels that extend to the two convergent channelsrespectively, a magazine body secured to the magazine frame and having apartition wall therein on a plane between the straight guide channels,and two elevators vertically guided on opposite sides respectively ofthe partition wall and having channels for carrying the buttons to thetwo straight channels.

5. In a button-attaching machine, a chute for guiding buttons, a curvedguide extending downwardly from the end of the chute and having a guidechannel therein, a pivotally supported lever provided on its free endwith a pivot, an open head swingingly hung on the pivot and providedbelow the pivot with a guide pin, a finger bar movably arranged in thehead and having two slots therein, one slot receiving the pivot and theother receiving the guide pin for vertically guiding the finger bar, thefinger bar having on its lower end a thumb and also a finger projectingbelow the thumb, the thumb being normally guided in the guide channel, aspring connected to the head and the finger bar for yieldingly forcingthe bar downward in the head, and a spring cooperating with the leverand the head for yieldingly forcing the thumb of the finger bar into theguide channel.

6. In a buttonattaching machine, the combination with a chute, and acurved guide extending downwardly from the chute, of a pivotallysupported arm having a pivot pin on one side thereof extending oppositethe front of the curved guide, an

open head comprising two separated plates connected to swing on said pinand a guide pin secured to the two plates below sald pin,

the housin said plates having a cross-bar secured thereto forward ofsaid pins, an S-shaped finger bar movably arranged between said platesand having a longitudinal slot therein receiving said pivot pin and alsoa longitudinal slot receiving said guide pin for vertically guiding saidfinger bar and permitting the bar to swing with said head on said pivotpin, the lower end of said finger bar extending toward said curved guidefor engaging buttons on said guide, the upper end of the bar extendingaway from the guide and above said cross-bar, a spring connected to saidupper end and to said cross-bar and yieldingly forcing said finger bardownward in said head, and a spring cooperating with said arm and alsowith the said head adjacent said guide pin for yieldingly forcing thelower portion of said finger bar to said curved guide.

7. In a button-attaching machine, the combination with a housing, of achute on the top of the housing, a curved guide bar connected to thechute and extending forward and downwardly therefrom, an armpivotallysupported on one side of the housing and having a boss on one sidethereof, the boss having a pivot pin extending opposite the front of theguide bar, means for moving and controlling the arm, a head supported torock on said pivot pin and provided below the pin with a guide pin, afinger bar having two longitudinal guide slots therein, one of the slotsreceiving the pivot pin, the other slot receiving the guide pin, forvertically guiding the bar and permitting the bar to swing on the pivotpin, a spring cooperating with the boss and the head for yieldinglypressing the lower portion of the finger bar to the curved guide, andspring connected with the finger bar and the head for yieldinglypressing the finger bar downward relatively to the head.

8. In a button attaching machine, the combination of a base, a hollowpillar on the base, a foot-lever pivoted to the base, a housing fixedlysecured upon the pillar and having a series of teeth on the inner sidethereof, a cam plate vertically movable in o7 pillar and connected tothe foot-lever and also to the cam plate, a dog pivoted to the cam platefor engaging said teeth, a guide pin supported by the housing to beengaged by the dog for forcing the dog into engagement with said teethwhen said cam plate has been moved upward, and a guide pin supported bysaid housing to be engaged by said dog for retracting the dog from saidteeth when said cam plate has been moved downward, with button-feedingmechanism mounted on said housing and operated and controlled by saidcam plate.

9. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of a housing includinga back a rod extending through the l. l (l wall having an inclined upperportion extending inward and upward, said portion having a rib on .theouter side thereof, an inclined chute on' the top of the housing havingan open magazine frame on its upper end and also a tongue extending ontosaid rib, a magazine body secured to said frame and said inclined wallportion, a partition in the magazine connected to said rib and saidtongue, two elevators connected together at their lower ends andvertically movable on opposite sides respectively of the partition forlifting buttons from the magazine body to the tongue of said chute, aspring secured to the bottom of said elevators, and a lever pivoted tosaid housing and having a projection thereon extending under said springfor lifting the elevators.

10. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of an inclined chutehaving'two guide channels in its top converging each to the other andalso a single channel connected with the two channels, the chute havingtwo separated inclined frame bars connected thereto that have guidechannels leading respectively to the two converging channels, the chutehaving also an intermediate channel between said two channels and incommunication .with the single channel, a magazine body secured to saidframe bars, and an elevator vertically movable in the magazine andhaving a top that is inclined to correspond to the plane of said framebars, said top having a channel to lead to said intermediate channel.

v11. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of a housing, amagazine fixedly supported by the housing, a chute on the housingextending from the top of the magazine, a guide bar extending from thechute, an elevator vertically movable in-the magazine for liftingbuttons from the magazine to the chute, a lever pivotally supportedbetween its ends on the housing and having one arm thereof operativelyconnected with the elevator for vertically lifting the elevator, and afinger bar carried by the opposite arm of the lever for bringing thebuttons down the guide bar from the chute when the elevator is liftingbuttons from'the magazine.

12. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of a magazine forbuttons, a chute having a tongue extending into one side of themagazine, the tongue having two guide channels for the buttons in itstop that extend down the chute, a vertical partition in the magazine ona plane between the channels,'two elevators movable vertically onopposite sides respectively of the partition and having channeled topsinclined toward said tongue for lifting buttons from the magazine to thechannels respectively in said tongue,

tons, of a guide plate supported by the chute at a distance above thetop thereof, a gate pivoted upon the guide plate and extending downwardbeyond the end of the plate toward the chute and having a guide on oneslde thereof, the gate being adapted to hold the buttons on the chute,and a lifting device pivoted upon the guideiplate adjacent to the gateand having a finger thereon extending under said guide to engage theguide for lifting the gate to release the buttons, said devicehaving afinger-piece thereon for lifting the device.

14. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of an inclined chutehaving two guide channels therein converging each toward the otherandalso two parallel channels extending to the ends of the convergentchannels respectively,.and a guide bar connected to the lower end of thechute and having two channelsections therein converging each totheotherand connected respectively with the .two convergent channels andthe parallel channels, the guide bar having also a single channeltherein extending from the junction of the two channel sections.

15. In .a button-attaching machine, the combinationofa magazine,avertical partition in the magazine extending beyond the top thereof, twoelevatordevices coupledntogther at their lower ends and movablevertically on opposite sides respectively of the partition and :throughthe bottom of the magazine, a chute extending from the plane of the .topof the magazine, means for lifting the elevator devices, :and means forstopping the upward movement of the elevator devices with their tops onthe plane of the chute and below the plane of the top of said partition.

16. In a button-attaching machine, the combination of an inclined chutehaving an open frame thereon, a magazine body secured to the frame, anelevator vertically movable .inthe magazine body and into said frame forlifting buttons from said body onto said chute, a lid frame supportedupon said open frame, and a lid hinged to said lid frame.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT E. TOLIN.

IVitnesses:

DAN E. JoHNsoN, HOBAR U. HINs'rIAw.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtomfl. 0.

